Those who sow in joy…

There is sad news – from my perspective anyway – regarding Archbishop Hepworth and the TAC from South Africa, according to this report in the Australian. That it ended this way was never inevitable, but is not surprising. I can understand the TAC bishops decision, given all the circumstances. While it was never the case in the first place that Anglicanorum Coetibus was aimed at the TAC, a body which was already separated from the Anglican Communion and fully independant in its own structures, and while it was always unlikely that the TAC as a whole would accept the invitation, it is still sad that it has ended this way. I hold out hope that a number of TAC parishes and perhaps even dioceses will still accept the Holy Father’s offer of full communion, after all, only 12 of the 20 TAC bishops were at the meeting. And I especially pray that Archbishop Hepworth himself will find his way home again.

About Schütz

I am Catholic, married to Cathy, father of Maddy & Mia. Since 2002, I have been the Executive Officer of the Ecumenical & Interfaith Commission of the Archdiocese of Melbourne. I was once a Lutheran pastor, but a "year of grace" and soul-searching led me into the Catholic Church. It was a bumpy ride, but with the support of my (still Lutheran) wife, I was finally confirmed on June 16, 2003.

Of course, David, the same people that “voted” (sic) Archbishop Hepworth out as Primate on the ground, one assumes, of his pro-Rome stance, are the same people who applauded him a couple of years ago and signed the Catechism of the Catholic Church!

@Matthias: While I have heard the same “rumour” about St Mary’s – from, might I add, someone who should know – I do not think the whole congregation will move. There has been a major realigning within the Continuing movement within Australian over the Rome-issue.

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SCE is a blog in "the Spirit of Benny 16". It is a place to discuss Catholic Theology, Ecumenism, Interfaith relations, History, Liturgy, Philosophy and whatever topics are hot in the ecclesiastical world!

I view the combox as the most important feature of this site, and I imagine our commentators sharing a glass of after dinner port as we discuss in a gentlemanly/ladylike manner the issues most dear to us.

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Anima Education

The Schütz Model for a Elective Australian Constitutional Monarchy

I propose that
1) We replace the absentee monarch of Australia (who is also the Monarch of Great Britain) with an elected Australian monarchy.
2) The elected monarch exactly replaces the current monarch in the current constition.
3) The elected monarch has exactly the same powers, duties and responsibilities as those of the current absentee monarch. All the monarch's functions are carried out by his/her personal representatives (as is currently the case): federally by the Governor General, and in the states by the State Governors.
4) The Governor General and the Governors continue to be selected and appointed as they currently are, that is, by the premier with the approval of the monarch.
5) The monarch is elected to sovereignty over Australia for life, but his/her sovereignty is strictly non-hereditary.
6) The elective body is the "college of electors" comprised of the state governors and federal governor general.
7) The election of the monarch must be a unanimous decision on the part of the college of electors.

"The fervant Romanists have always this point in their favour: that they are ready to believe. And they have a desire for the conversion of men which is honest in exactly inverse ration to the dishonesty of the means which they employ to produce it."-- Anthony Trollope, "The Way We Live Now"

J.G. Schütz Family Arms

"The truth may be out there, but lies are inside your head."-- Terry Pratchet, Hogfather, page 242

"I really don't think I'm arrogant, but I do get impatient with people who don't share with me the same humility in front of the facts."--Richard Dawkins